SUNSET: 
Lots of travelers dream of visiting Greenland, and now Sky & Telescope will take you there — to be awed by dramatic glaciers, awesome auroras, and a deep partial solar eclipse not long after sunrise.
Lots of travelers dream of visiting Greenland, and now Sky & Telescope will take you there — to be awed by dramatic glaciers, beautiful auroras, and a deep partial solar eclipse not long after sunrise.
| Sorry, this tour is sold out. |
Here’s a tempting trip for adventurous travelers. By special arrangement with Greenland Travel, Sky & Telescope invites you to witness a deep partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, from Ilulissat on Greenland’s western coast. Then revel in the spectacular glacier-dominated landscape around you by day — and gaze skyward for colorful auroras at night.
• Itinerary for our 6-day tour of Ilulissat & Nuuk
• What is and isn’t included; what conditions to expect
• Pricing, Terms, and Conditions
Highlights of the Tour
Deep Partial Solar Eclipse
When the Moon and Sun converge on March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will be observable from the North Atlantic Ocean, northeastern Canada, and parts of Europe. From Ilulissat on Greenland’s western coast, 85% of the Sun’s disk will be covered, observable just 11° above the eastern horizon. You can choose to view the eclipse steps from your hotel room, which is perched on a hill overlooking the town, or find another spot nearby with a dramatic arctic landscape spread before you. According to meteorologist Jay Anderson, a check of more than two decades of weather stats shows that this eclipse would have been visible from Ilulissat about 70% of the time.
Xavier M. Jubier
Northern Lights
With solar maximum predicted for late 2024, next March should provide excellent circumstances for viewing the aurora borealis. Ilulissat has a latitude of 69° — it’s north of the Arctic Circle — and dates near the March equinox are statistically most likely to have auroral displays. Of course, it will be near new Moon, so with luck, the clear polar night will reveal itself with twinkling stars and dancing Northern Lights.
Andre Schoenherr / visitgreenland.com
Sailing Among Icebergs
The Ilulissat Icefjord was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 because of its natural beauty and the importance of the fast-moving Jakobshavn Glacier. Every day, more than 40 million tons of ice flow out into the fjord. The icebergs are gigantic, sometimes measuring more than 350 feet wide and 200 feet tall. These giants gather at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them.
Flemming Deleuran / greenland-travel.dk
Doglsedding
Who hasn’t dreamed of racing along the snow on a dogsled? The experience can’t be explained — it must be experienced! This trip usually takes place on a flat plain near Ilulissat. In addition to the sled driver, you’ll be one of two participants on each sled. And all the dogs are different, some fast and others slower. Although this excursion is included in the tour, it’s not recommended for those with neck or back problems.
Hotel Arctic
Accommodations for the Tour
Situated on a high above the town of Ilulissat and surrounded by rocks, ice and water, Hotel Arctic offers a world of experiences in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. The food is amazing, and a shuttle to town runs hourly.
With a truly unique location, the Hotel Hans Egede is something special. Enjoy views of Nuuk (Greenland's capital) and the magnificent scenery surrounding the city from one of the hotel's 140 well-appointed rooms. This four-star venue also offers two restaurants and a rooftop bar.
Located next to Copenhagen Airport, this 5-star hotel is just a 2-minute walk from the Terminal 3 arrival hall via a covered walkway. It's also just 12 minutes from the city center by train and metro services. The hotel is ISO 14005 certified and proud holder of the Organic Cuisine Label in bronze. It earned a TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award for 2024.
During your four-night stay at the Hotel Arctic, you’ll have the option of reserving one of its exclusive “aurora cabins.” These private getaways offer huge heated windows, double bed (for one or two people), private bathroom, and other comforts. They are perched gracefully on the mountainside, accessed from the hotel by a walkway, and they offer you breathtaking panoramic views of the northern lights by night and Disko Bay by day. Check out this video.
Hotel Arctic
On the flights between Copenhagen and Nuuk (Greenland’s capital), which are 5 hours long, you’ll have the option to upgrade to premium class — with a wider seat, more leg room, upgraded meals, and an extra baggage allowance.
airliners.net
Itinerary for Greenland Eclipse-Aurora Getaway
| Date | Itinerary at a Glance | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, March 26 | Depart for Copenhagen | (overnight flight) | (aloft) |
| Thursday, March 27 | Copenhagen to Ilulissat | Hotel Arctic | D |
| Friday, March 28 | Excursions in Ilulissat | Hotel Arctic | B |
| Saturday, March 29 | Partial Solar Eclipse | Hotel Arctic | B |
| Sunday, March 30 | Excursions in Ilulissat | Hotel Arctic | B |
| Monday, March 31 | Ilulissat to Nuuk | Hotel Hans Egede | B |
| Tuesday, April 1 | Nuuk to Copenhagen | Clarion Kastrup | B |
| Wednesday, April 2 | Copenhagen to home | — | B |
What the Tour Does/Doesn’t Include
The tour includes:
• Round-trip airfare between Copenhagen and Ilulissat
• Nightly accommodation in high-quality hotels
• Private group transfers from airport to hotel and to airport on return
• Package of excursions while in Ilulissat: dogsledding, sailing among icebergs, city walk
• Welcome dinner in Ilulissat and breakfast each day
• Lectures and discussion from a S&T representative on the main tour
• Pre-trip planning information and resources
The tour does not include:
• International airfare to/from Copenhagen
• Passport and visa fees
• Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
• Medical insurance and COVID-19 testing, if applicable
• Medical or quarantine expenses
• Airport transfers if not arriving or departing with the group
• Hotel accommodation for extra nights before or after the tour dates
• Individual excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour
• Meals or beverages not listed in the detailed itinerary
• Personal expenses (room service, laundry, email, wi-fi, telephone calls, etc)
• Excess-baggage fees
What Conditions to Expect on the Tour
This exclusive Sky & Telescope expedition is designed for travelers who are interested in witnessing a deep partial solar eclipse, viewing the aurora borealis from near-perfect conditions, and experiencing Greenland’s superb natural landscapes.
To enjoy this experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health and be able to keep up with the pace of the group or the excursions chosen. Participants requiring extraordinary assistance must be accompanied by someone who can and will provide all required assistance.
Late March is very cold in Ilulissat, and temperatures average 17°F during the day and 5°F at night. You will need to bring clothing, footwear, and equipment suitable for frigid conditions.
Please note that the standard baggage allowance on Air Greenland flights is limited to a single checked bag weighing no more than 20 kg (45 pounds) and a carry-on weighing no more than 8 kg (17 pounds). Surcharges will apply if your baggage exceeds these limits.
Pricing and Terms for the Tour
| Pricing (per person) | Two per Room | One per Room |
|---|---|---|
| Greenland Eclipse/Aurora Getaway (Mar. 27-Apr. 1, 2025) | $4,500 | $5,300 |
| optional: 1 night in private "aurora cabin" at Hotel Arctic" | $325 | $625 |
| optional: cabin upgrade on flights to/from Greenland (each way) | $512 | $512 |
Note: This tour is limited to no more than 20 participants.
EXCHANGE RATES: All tour prices are based on costs and U.S. dollar exchange rates in effect at the time of posting. As such, prices listed here are subject to change. Sky & Telescope and/or the American Astronomical Society will inform participants of any changes prior to departure.
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: To register and pay your initial deposit, please use this reservation page. A deposit of $2,000 per passenger and a signed reservation contract are required to secure your reservation. Full payment is due by October 31, 2024. After October 31, 2024, full payment must accompany any reservation.
In order to register for this tour, you will first need to create an account with the American Astronomical Society. You'll be prompted to do that when you click on the "Register Myself" button on the reservation page; use that button whether you're registering just yourself or for two people traveling together.
WAIT LIST: If the tour is fully booked when your reservation is received, we will notify you and your payment will be returned within 7 days; or with your authorization, we will retain your payment and place your name(s) on a waiting list in case other participants cancel their reservations. If you are on the waiting list, then decide you do not wish to participate on the tour, or if no openings become available, your deposit will be fully refunded.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND: If you cancel your reservation, your right to receive a refund is limited, as set forth in the following schedule. All requests for cancellation and refunds must be sent to the American Astronomical Society in writing or by email; a telephone call or voicemail message is not sufficient. If your cancellation notice is received within 14 days of making your reservation or before October 31, 2024 (whichever comes first), you will receive a refund of any deposits you have paid, less an administrative fee of $500. If your notice is received more than 14 days after making your reservation or after October 31, 2024, you will forfeit any deposits you have paid and receive no refund.
AURORA CABIN OPTION: Please note that Hotel Arctic and Sky & Telescope offer no changes or refunds once a cabin reservation is made. If you prefer not to reserve a cabin now, reservations can be made once you get to Hotel Arctic (when short-term weather forecasts will be available) — but availability isn't guaranteed if you wait to book a cabin until you check in at the hotel.
CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have questions about the tour itself, please contact Kelly Beatty. If you have questions about the registration process or the tour’s Terms and Conditions, please write to American Astronomical Society, 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, or send an email to Diane Frendak.
